Byline: Levhuwani Matumba
20 October 2023
African National Congress Youth League national Executive member, Bethuel Zunguza criticized the offer made by foreign nationals in the form of groceries to the grieving family of the young boy who died after he consumed alprim in Emzinoni.
Zunguza who was accompanied by the ANCYL regional coordinator in Gert Sibande, Bonginkosi Shiba, and Ayigobi Business Forum members visited the family on Thursday, 19 October 2023.
“It does not make any sense for us as the community to allow the same people who sold the poison to a small boy to buy groceries for the family.
How are we going to hold these people accountable and ensure that they comply with the by-laws of this country if we are going to take monetary donations or groceries from them?” asked Zunguza.
He requested the family to hand over the list so that Ayigobi Business Forum together with other stakeholders who will be approached by him buy the groceries for the family.
The young boy lost his life after he bought alprim from a shop owned by a foreign national and consumed it.
According to the young boy’s friend, the deceased bought the poison and hid it so that no one could see it.
He consumed it inside the car while his parents and friends were not aware.
By the time his friends noticed, it was already too late.
He was rushed to the hospital where he was certified deceased.
Goodman Mabanga from Ayigobi Business Forum said it is time for the government to enforce by-laws that govern spaza shops.
“They must check and approve what is being sold by these shops.
How can a person sell poison to a young boy and why is it kept with food inside the shop?” added Mabanga.
The foreign national who sold the poison to the young boy was arrested after the intervention of Ayigobi Business Forum and the community members on Wednesday, 18 October 2023.
He appeared at Bethal Magistrate Court on Thursday, 19 October 2023 for the charge of the Contravention of Immigration Act of South Africa since he did not have proper documents to be in the country.
He was given a fine of R4000 or three months imprisonment.
